Traffic button



A. 9, 1938 I J. w. SHAFFER ET AL TRAFFIC BUTTON Filed Sept. 16, 1955 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORb 59 JOHN w. SHAFFER ATTORNEYS:

9, 1938. J. w. SHAFFER ET AL 2, 2

TRAFFIC BUTTON Filed Sept. 16, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS JOHN W,SHAFF'ER RALPH T. PHI LIPS ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 9, 1938 UNITED STATESTRAFFIC BUTTON John W. Shafier and Ralph T. Phillips, Minneapolis, Minn,assignors to John W. Shaffer &

Company, a corporation of Minnesota Application September 1 6 Claims.

This invention relates 'to improvements in traflic safety buttons of thetype adapted to be placed on a division line or lines defining two ormore traiflc lanes and to ,be illuminated by the lights of motorvehicles.

Objects of the invention: to reduce the weight; increase the strength;to prevent obliteration of the lenses by sedimentary deposits of earthduring rains; and to provide a smooth top contour which is at a minimumlevel above that of the roa A particular object is to so reduce thethickness of the button that the shoes of snow plows will pass over thebutton without striking the 5 same and to accomplish this object withoutreducing the signalling efliciency of the reflectors. We have been ableto accomplish a substantial reduction in thickness and yet give maximumof reflecting surface by the use of two small reflectors instead of onelarger one. The use of these reflectors of smaller diameter or ofsmaller vertical height makes it possible to obtain as much or morereflection as when a single larger eye? or reflector is used. Althoughthe circular form of cylindrically encased reflector is preferred, aswell as the use of two small lenses, yet a single horizontally elongatedand vertically narrowed reflector can be used. p

Another object is to so construct the button as to provide a free pathfor water transversely thereof, thus avoiding such sedimentation ordamming or eddying as will obliterate or cover the reflectors. v

Another object is to provide openings leading to cross channels,downwardly through-which rain can fall to reach the surface of the roadand flush the cross channels by streams moving in opposite directions.

Features of the invention include all details of construction along withthe broader ideas of means inherent in the disclosure.

' Objects, advantages and features of the invention will appear in thedescription of the drawings and in said drawings:

Figure l is a top plan View illustrating the double reflector form ofour device;

Figure 2 is an elevation, one-half in longitudinal section; p

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view;

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section on line 44 of Figure 2; iFigure 5 is an end View further illustrating the arrangement of the pairof reflectors;

Figure 6 is a plane view of a-lmodifi'cation in which single reflectorsare used;

6, 1936,- SerialNo. 101,096 (01. 88-79) Figured is a verticallongitudinal central section through the device of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the device of Figure 6; v V

Figure 9 is an end view of the device of Figure 6; and

Figure 10 is an end view of a modification showing the use of a singlehorizontally elongated reflector.

Numeral I generally designates a hollow central body portion or islandand numerals 2, 3 respectively indicate end sections or islands spacedfrom the body. The bottom surfaces of the body and the end sections orelements are preferably elongated in a direction transverse to theirdirection of spacing as best indicated in Figure 3, although theinvention is not entirely limited thereto. The bottom surfaces of thebody and end sections are flat and are adapted to engage directly withcorresponding surfaces of the road, and sealingly engage such a surface.The bottom of each end section is provided centrally thereof with atubular extension 4 providing openings 5 through which fasteningdevices, not shown, are passed to secure the device to the road.Securing is generally accomplished by means of expansion bolts whichform no part of this invention.

i A pair of arched elements I connect each end 2 section with the body.The members of each pair of arches I are so disposed as to form with thebody and the corresponding end section, a cross drain channel indicatedat In, the bottom of which channel is formed by the road, and the sidesof which are formed by the body and the end section. By this meansdrainage cross channels are formed the bottom of each of which is formedby the road, when the button is attached. In this way also, openings areformed which communicate with the channels to allow entry of rain forflushing.

These arched elements '1 also define with the body and the end element,an outwardly opening recess indicated at [2 into which light can enterfrom above, as well as at angles which are acute to the long axis of thebutton indicated by line A. This axis is transverse to the direction ofspacing of the end sections.

The inner wall I5 of the recess is defined by a wall E6 of the hollowcentral body I, and each wall has therein reflecting means disposed tobe impinged by light entering the corresponding recess. A trafiic buttonhaving a single recess and a single lens is contemplated herein. Thereflecting means may be a single lens It as in Figures 6 and 9, but ispreferably constituted by two lenses such as indicated at I 9 in Figures1 and 2. In practice the mounting shell of the lens has a diameter offrom one-half to seveneighths of an inch. The diameter is preferablyabout one-half an inch and the overall vertical thickness or height ofthe button is about seveneighths of an inch. Thus when the button isattached it does not rise above the road sufficiently to be engaged bythe shoes of the snow plows ordinarily used for cleaning the roads.Moreover by having a minimum of vertical height accidents are lesslikely, in case an auto vehicle wheel should pass over the button.

Each lens has its axis (indicated by the line B) inclined upwardly asshown in Figure 2. The lenses are arranged in openings or sockets 2| inwalls I6 as shown in Figures 2 and 7, the shell mounting 20 having ashoulder 23 which engages with a' shoulder 24 of the opening 2|. Eachcasing has a screw indicated at 25 which projects through an opening ina plate 26, and this screw is threaded in a nut 21, which secures theplate. The shoulder 23 is forced against the shoulder 24 to sealinglysecure the lens casing 20. Any type of reflector can be used.

It is noted that the end elements 2 and 3 are so spaced and the archelements are as before stated,

so arranged that a vertical opening is provided in each recess whichcommunicates with the cross channel ID, for flushing purposes. ThusWater falling into a recess l2 can flow outwardly in either direction,thus making sedimentation less likely. On the other hand, when the flowis laterally toward the button, free through-flow is obtained by thechannel H).

The central elements and end sections may be considered as islandsconnected by bridges, the space between the islands constituting drainand flush channels.

The reflector casings 20 may touch one another at their inner sides, butare preferably spaced. A single elongated relatively vertically narrowreflector 60 may be used, the object being to obtain a maximum ofreflection with a minimum of vertical height for the button. Theadvantage of two eyes or lenses is that light can be reflected for alonger time as the automobile approaches the button. That is, thereflector that is farthest from the automobile, or that portion of asingle reflector will reflect when the machine is almost opposite to it.This relation is suggested by arrow C in Figure 1, in which C representsthe one angle of impingement of the light on the farthermost reflector.

In Figures 6 to 9 inclusive is illustrated another form in which asingle larger circular lens I8 is used. The body portion is indicated at35 and the end elements or islands are indicated at 3631 and bridgeelements are indicated at 38. In this case the bottom contour of thecentral body 35 is more nearly elliptical. The bottom contour of the endelements 36 and 31 differ from that of the body 35 each in having asubstantially straight inner side 39. However, in this case as in thefirst case, drain channels generally indicated at 40 are provided. Theinner side of each element, 363'l has a central surface 4| convex towardthe body 35. The central body has walls 42 having openings 43, the axesof which are upwardly slanted as indicated by line D, and shoulders 44are provided in the body which are engaged by corresponding shoulders 48of the casings 49 which carry the reflecting lenses 18. A suitablespherical shell washer 5| engages over threaded extension 52 of casing49, and a nut 53 is threaded on the extensions as shown. The reflectormountings are thus sealingly secured in the openings.

Each end element 36 and 31 is provided with a tubular extension 55corresponding to the extensions 4 of the first form. Countersinks 56 areprovided for the heads of the attaching bolts (not shown). It isunderstood that the heads preferably lie flush with the upper surfaces51 of the end elements. The tubular extensions 4 and 55 are elongated indirection axially of the button and are convergently tapered downwardly.

In the appended claims, the passages l0 (Figures 1-5) and 4|] (Figures6-10) are defined as extending in substantially a straight line acrossthe button immediately in front of the light reflecting means andopening outwardly on each side of the button. It will be understood thatthe term substantially straight line is used in this connection in itsbroadest sense to include various flared or slightly curved end portionsof the passage where such portions open outwardly on each side of thebutton. In other words, such term is used to include not only the formsof passages illustrated in Figures 3 and 8, but also to include obviousmodifications thereof wherein the ends of the passages might be flaredslightly in a forward or rear direction only, or one end might be flaredforwardly and the opposite end flared rearwardly thereby defining arelatively flat and somewhat S-shaped passage.

We claim as our invention:

1. A trainc button having a central body portion and a pair of roadattaching portions arranged on opposite sides of and each connected tobut spaced from said body portion to define a transversely disposedpassage, said attaching portions each being connected to said bodyportion solely by a pair of transversely spaced arched members bridgingsaid passage and defining a longitudinally disposed recess therebetweenwhich intersects the passage formed by the spacing between said centralbody portion and said attaching portions, and light reflecting meansdisposed on opposite sides of said body portion and arranged betweeneach pair of said arched members, said passages each extending insubstantially a straight line across said button immediately in front ofsaid light reflecting means and opening outwardly on each side of saidbutton.

2. A traific button having a central body portion and a pair ofprotecting portions arranged on opposite sides of and each connected tobut spaced from said body portion to define a transversely disposedpassage, said protecting portions each being connected to said bodyportion by a pair of transversely spaced arched members defining alongitudinally disposed recess which intersects the passage formed bythe spacing between said central body portion and said protectingportions, and light reflecting means disposed on opposite sides of saidbody portion and arranged between said arched members, said passageseach extending in substantially a straight line across said buttonimmediately in front of said light reflecting means and openingoutwardly on each side of said button.

3. A traffic button including a central body por- I versely disposedpassage, an arch member bridg- 7 ing said passage and interconnectingsaid protective portion with said central body portion, and lightreflecting means carried by said central body portion and projectinginto said passage, said passage extending in substantially a straightline across said button immediately in front of said light reflectingmeans and opening outwardly on each side of said button and reflectingmeans.

4. A traflic button including a central body portion having a baseadapted to engage the surface of a road, and a protective portion havinga base adapted to engage the surface of the road, the base of saidprotective portion being spaced from the base of said central portion todefine a transversely disposed passage, a pair of transversely spacedarch members bridging said passage and interconnecting said protectiveportion with said central portion, said arch members defining a recessopen at the top and intersecting said passage, and light reflectingmeans projecting into said passage, said passage extending insubstantially a straight line across said button immediately in front ofsaid light reflecting means and opening outwardly on each side of saidbutton.

5. A traffic button including a central body portion having a baseadapted to engage the surface of a road, and a pair of road attachingportions arranged on opposite sides of said central body portion andeach having a base adapted to engage the surface of said road, the basesof said attaching portions each being spaced from the base of saidcentral portion to define a transversely disposed passage open towardthe surface of the road, means bridging said passage and interconnectingeach attaching portion with said central portion, and light reflectingmeans projecting into said passages, said passages each extending insubstantially a straight line across said button immediately in front ofsaid light reflecting means and opening outwardly on each side of saidbutton and light reflecting means.

6. A trafiic button including a central body portion having a baseadapted to engage the surface of a road, and a pair of road attachingportions arranged on opposite sides of said central body portion andeach having a base adapted to engage the surface of said road, the basesof said attaching portions all lying in substantially a common plane andthe bases of said attaching portions each being spaced from the base ofsaid central portion to define a transversely disposed passage opentoward the surface of the road, the side walls of said bases beingcurved to provide flared discharge openings for said passages, a pair oftransversely spaced arch members bridging said passage andinterconnecting each attaching portion with said central portion, eachpair of said arch members defining a recess open at the top and whichintersects said passage, and light refleeting means carried by saidcentral body portion and projecting into each passage, said passageseach extending in substantially a straight line across said buttonimmediately in front of said light reflecting means and openingoutwardly on each side of said button.

JOHN W. SHAFFER. RALPH T. PHILLIPS.

